Yao Xiuyan gestured for her to sit down: "The border region is deeply entrenched; a single move can affect the whole situation." He pushed over a stack of documents, "These are the records of recent grain and salary distributions. Take a look."

Upon closer inspection, Qi Mingyue was shocked. The embezzlement and falsification of reports at all levels were truly appalling.

"Why not do nothing?" she couldn't help but ask.

“It’s not that we’re indifferent, it’s just that the time isn’t right.” Yao Xiuyan’s gaze was deep. “The stability of the border is the most important thing. If we’re going to make a move, it must be a swift and decisive strike.”

Qi Mingyue remained silent for a long time before saying softly, "I understand." She stood up. "Let's postpone the learning matter for now."

Yao Xiuyan stopped her, saying, "Mingyue, do you know why I allowed you to run a school?"

Qi Mingyue shook her head.

“Because the border needs to change.” Yao Xiuyan walked to the window. “But not a rash change.” He turned to look at her. “What you need to learn is not how to do things, but how to achieve things.”

These words were like a sudden awakening. Qi Mingyue stood there stunned for a long time before finally saying, "Thank you for your guidance, Brother Xiuyan."

In the following days, Qi Mingyue stopped mentioning the school and instead visited various military garrisons daily, helping the women spin and weave, and teaching the children to read and sing. She no longer made a big fuss, but rather subtly influenced them.

Surprisingly, the opposition gradually diminished. Some even began inquiring about when the school would reopen.

That day, she was mending clothes for an old soldier at the beacon tower when she suddenly heard a commotion below. Peeking out, she saw that it was General Li arriving with several officers.

"Miss Qi!" General Li said gruffly, "We...have come to apologize!"

Qi Mingyue was taken aback: "Why do you say that, General?"

General Li looked embarrassed: "I used to think that Miss's idea of ​​starting a school was nonsense... but now it seems that I was too narrow-minded." He pointed to the generals behind him, "These rascals' kids are all clamoring to go to school!"

The generals all echoed this sentiment. It turned out that the children had been recounting the stories Miss Qi had taught them, and the adults had also become interested.

Qi Mingyue said gently, "General, you flatter me. It was I who did not consider this carefully."

General Li replied, “Miss, please don’t hesitate to ask if you need anything! We may not be good at much, but we can certainly help with our physical labor!”

After they left, the old soldier chuckled: "Miss Qi, have you managed to tame these brutes?"

Qi Mingyue looked back the way she had come, only to see dust billowing as Yao Xiuyan rode up on horseback. She suddenly realized that he was probably behind all of this.

Yao Xiuyan dismounted and casually brushed the dust from her hair: "I heard General Li came looking for you?"

Qi Mingyue nodded: "Did Brother Xiuyan say something?"

Yao Xiuyan raised an eyebrow: "What can I say?" His eyes were smiling. "They figured it out themselves."

The two stood side by side, gazing at the Gobi Desert. The setting sun cast long shadows that intertwined.

“Brother Xiuyan,” Qi Mingyue said softly, “I want to reopen the school. But this time, let’s take it slowly.”

Yao Xiuyan turned his head to look at her: "How do you want to take it slow?"

"Let's start with small things." Qi Mingyue's gaze was far-reaching. "We'll select a sensible child from each military garrison, and I'll teach them. Then they'll teach others. It's like a beacon fire relay, from one station to another."

Yao Xiuyan gazed at her for a long time, then suddenly smiled: "Okay."

A small breeze stirs the water. Qi Mingyue thought, change may be slow, but it will eventually happen.